Growth and photosynthetic responses of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to elevated levels of cadmium

Effects of cadmium (Cd) on the growth and photosynthesis of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz 854 were investigated. The growth was markedly inhibited when it was treated with 4 microM Cd. However, the biomass production was almost not influenced after a prolonged exposure at Cd concentrations < or = 2 microM. Chlorophyll content was more sensitive to Cd toxicity than phycobiliproteins at 0.5 microM Cd. However, the decrease of phycobiliproteins was larger than chlorophyll at the highest Cd concentration. A significant increase of F(v)/F(m) value was observed at Cd concentrations < or = 2 microM. On the other hand, when cells were treated with 4 microM Cd, F(v)/F(m) was significantly increased after 12 h of treatment but decreased after 48 h. The true photosynthesis was decreased with the increase of Cd concentration at 2 h. However, we noticed a recovery when the treatment was prolonged. After 48 h of exposure at the highest Cd concentration, photosynthetic oxygen evolution was markedly inhibited but dark respiration increased by 67%. Cellular Cd contents were augmented with the increase of Cd concentration. To our knowledge, we have demonstrated for the first time that the inhibitory site of Cd in M. aeruginosa is not located at the PSII or PSI level, but is probably situated on the ferredoxin/NADP(+)-oxidoreductase enzyme at the terminal of whole electron transport chain. We noticed also an increase of PSI activity, which is probably linked to the enhancement of cyclic electron transport around PSI. We can conclude that the increase of cyclic electron transport and dark respiration activities, and the decrease of phycobiliproteins might be adaptive mechanisms of M. aeruginosa 854 under high Cd conditions.     

Phytoremediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soils by Rorippa globosa Using Two-Phase Planting (5 pp)

Background Phytoextraction of contaminated soils by heavy metals can provide a great promise of commercial development. Although there are more than 400 species of hyperaccumulators found in the world, phytoremediation technology is rarely applied in field practice for remedying contaminated soils, partially due to low biomass and long growth duration for most of discovered hyperaccumulating plants. In order to enhance the metal-removing efficiency in a year, the two-phase planting countermeasure of phytoextraction by harvesting anthesis biomass was investigated on the basis of the newly found Cd-hyperaccumulator Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell. with 107.0 and 150.1 mg/kg of the Cd accumulation in stems and leaves, respectively, when soil Cd added was concentrated to 25.0 mg/kg. Methods The field pot-culture experiment was used to observe the distribution property of R. globosa aboveground biomass and to examine characteristics of accumulating Cd by the plant at different growth stages. The concentration of Cd in plants and soils was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results and Discussion The results indicated that the total dry stem and leaf biomass of R. globosa harvested at the flowering phase was up to 92.3% of that at its full maturity and the concentration of Cd in stems and leaves harvested at the flowering phase was up to 73.8% and 87.7% of that at the mature phase, respectively. The Cd-removing ratio by shoots of R. globosa harvested at the flowering phase was up to 71.4% of that at the mature phase. It was also found, by observing the growth duration of R. globosa, that the frostless period at the experiment site was twice as long as the growth time from the seedling-transplanted phase to the flowering phase of the hyperaccumulator. Conclusion R. globosa could be transplanted into contaminated soils twice in one year by harvesting the hyperaccumulator at its flowering phase based on climatic conditions of the site and traits of the plant growth. In this sense, the extraction efficiency of Cd in shoots of R. globosa increased 42.8% compared to that of at its single maturity when the plant was transplanted into contaminated soils after it had been harvested at its flowering phase and the plant accumulated Cd from soil at the same extraction ratio at its second flowering phase. Thus, the method of anthesis biomass regulation by the two-phase planting is very significant to increase the Cd-removing efficiency by phytoremediation used in practice over the course of a year. Recommendation and Outlook As for some hyperaccumulators that the growth duration from the seedling-transplanted phase to the flowering phase are short and the concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in their shoots at the flowering phase are high, the efficiency of phytoremediation can greatly be improved using the method of the two-phase planting.     

Seasonal variation in the occurrence of ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis

Stroke was demonstrated to correlate with seasonal variation. However, the relevant studies were incongruous. To better understand the rules of seasonal impact on ischemic stroke (IS) patients, we performed this meta-analysis. We systematically searched relevant observational studies in Pubmed, Web of science and Embase from January 1, 1980, to November 1, 2017, in English. Patients included in this study were adults who suffered from IS. Stata version 12.0 software was used to pool useful data and calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also performed heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses and evaluated publication bias. Thirty-three observational studies involving 234,196 participants were incorporated into the meta-analysis. Summer and December were regarded as reference, respectively. The IRRs were calculated showing: IRR_Winter 1.05 (95% CI 1.04–1.07), IRR_Autumn 1.03 (95% CI 1.02–1.04), IRR_Spring 1.02 (95% CI 1.01–1.03). No obvious difference existed among 12 months. Stratified analyses on Köppen classification were also conducted. Between-study heterogeneity was discovered; however, predefined stratified analyses and meta-regression could not reduce this heterogeneity. Our meta-analysis has revealed very little seasonal variation in the overall study. Both cold and hot months may be high risky for IS after stratified by Köppen Climate Classification. Thus, a rationale to environmental setting of risky patient management could be provided. More studies with specific assessments are warranted for further comprehensive investigation.

     

海洋溢油污染的生态与健康危害

随着溢油事故的频繁发生,海洋溢油污染备受关注.本文在阐述国内外海洋溢油污染现状的基础上,针对溢油污染对人类健康的影响进行了初步分析,并针对海洋环境中溢油的环境行为以及对海洋生态系统、沿岸滩涂生态系统的毒性效应进行了概述.最后,对海洋溢油污染研究的发展趋势进行了展望.     

应用动态模型确定酸沉降临界负荷的探讨

任何一个天然生态系统都是一个稳定系统.在一定酸沉降量的作用下,生态系统最终会平衡在一个新的稳定状态.动态模型可以模拟不同酸沉降量下生态系统化学状态的变化趋势.根据信号与系统理论,这种趋势可以用一阶指数衰减函数进行模拟,以得到系统达到稳定状态时的化学指标值.根据不同酸沉降量和所对应的稳态化学指标值之间的剂量-响应曲线,可以求出当系统稳态化学指标值达到临界化学值时的酸沉降量,即为系统的酸沉降临界负荷.应用这种方法,以MAGIC模型为例,计算了四川峨眉山顶水和重庆南山湖泊的硫沉降临界负荷,分别为1.54和6.5     

改性活性炭对水中铬离子(Ⅵ)的吸附性能

为了研究改性前后活性炭对水中铬离子(Ⅵ)的吸附效果,以磷酸活性炭(PAC)为原料,用10%硝酸改性得到硝酸改性活性炭(N-PAC)及直接蒸发法载铁改性得到载铁活性炭(Fe-PAC)。通过静态吸附研究表明,改性后活性炭对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附率有较大提高。在常温、自然pH条件下,0.2 g活性炭处理50 mL浓度为100 mg/L的含Cr(Ⅵ)溶液,N-PAC和Fe-PAC对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附率分别为79.21%和90.59%,都高于原PAC对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附率49.58%。pH从2.2升高到11.92,Fe-PAC对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附率从99.86%降低到14.77%,N-PAC则从99.86%降低到3.23%,PAC从97.05%降低到2.53%。温度从25℃升高到70℃,3种活性炭对Cr(Ⅵ)吸附率都有较大提高,都增加到98%以上。且吸附过程较符合Langmuir等温吸附模型。     

太湖地区3种水稻土不同温度培养中有机碳库变化及其对升温的响应

全球变暖下土壤有机碳储存的变化是土壤与全球变化研究的热点问题.本研究选择了3种太湖地区代表性水稻土的表层土壤,分别进行20℃和25℃的室内恒温培养,监测培养过程中总有机碳、溶解性有机碳和微生物量碳的变化动态,试图了解这些土壤的有机碳分解过程对全球变暖的响应特点.结果表明,这些土壤培养中总有机碳变化可以用一级衰变动力学方程或对数衰减方程描述,但动力学特征依培养温度的不同而异.升温大大促进了铁渗水耕人为土和潜育水耕人为土中有机碳的分解与呼吸损失,而铁聚水耕人为土没有显著变化.供试土壤总有机碳损失的Q₁₀系数分别为:潜育水耕人为土(11.1～14.1)＞铁渗水耕人为土(4.4～6.4)＞铁聚水耕人为土(0.63～0.73).这一方面说明温度敏感性在同一地带的不同土壤间的差异超过文献上报道的不同气候带的差异,但另一方面揭示了水稻土可能是一类对全球升温敏感响应的人为土.溶解性有机碳和微生物量的碳的变化还提示不同温度培养下水稻土微生物群落结构可能改变,因而影响到土壤有机碳库的生物有效性在温度条件下的变化.可以认为,土壤升温下有机碳的变化不但与土壤有机碳的性质有关,而且与土壤性质控制下的生物条件的改变有关.故土壤升温下有机碳的损失不仅仅是温度对分解过程的反应速度的影响.当然,对于不同土壤间的这种差异还需从有机碳-土壤环境-土壤生物的相互关系上做进一步的工作.     

A pilot-scale study of cryolite precipitation from high fluoride-containing wastewater in a reaction-separation integrated reactor

Fluoride removal by traditional precipitation generates huge amounts of a water-rich sludge with low quality, which has no commercial or industrial value. The present study evaluated the feasibility of recovering fluoride as low water content cryolite from industrial fluoride-containing wastewater. A novel pilot-scale reaction-separation integrated reactor was designed. The results showed that the seed retention time in the reactor was prolonged to strengthen the induced crystallization process. The particle size of cryolite increased with increasing seed retention time, which decreased the water content. The recovery rate of cryolite was above 75% under an influent fluoride concentration of 3500 mg/L, a reaction temperature of 50℃, and an influent flow of 40 L/hr. The cryolite products that precipitated from the reactor were small in volume, large in particle size, low in water content, high in crystal purity, and recyclable.     

Effect of a high strength chemical industry wastewater on microbial community dynamics and mesophilic methane generation

A high strength chemical industry wastewater was assessed for its impact on anaerobic microbial com- munity dynamics and consequently mesophilic methane generation. Cumulative methane production was 251 mL/g total chemical oxygen demand removed at standard temperature and pressure at the end of 30 days experimental period with a highest recorded methane percentage of 80.6% of total biogas volume. Volatile fatty acids （VFAs） analysis revealed that acetic acid was the major intermediate VFAs produced with propionic acid accumulating over the experimental period. Quantitative analysis of microbial communities in the test and control groups with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction highlighted that in the test group, Eubacteria （96.3%） was dominant in comparison with methanogens （3.7%）. The latter were dominated by Methanomicrobiales and Methanobacteriales while in test groups increased over the experimental period, reaching a maximum on day 30. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profile was performed, targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Eubacteria and Archaea, with the DNA samples extracted at 3 different time points from the test groups. A phylogenetic tree was constructed for the sequences using the neighborhood joining method. The analysis revealed that the presence of organisms resembling Syntrophomonadaceae could have contributed to increased production of acetic and propionic acid intermediates while decrease of organisms resembling Pelotomaculum sp. could have most likely contributed to accumulation of propionic acid. This study suggested that the degradation of organic components within the high strength industrial wastewater is closely linked with the activity of certain niche microbial communities within eubacteria and methanogens.     

6种苯系物对虾夷扇贝的生殖毒性作用

采用半静水式毒性试验,研究了6种苯系物(苯、甲苯、乙基苯、邻–二甲苯、间–二甲苯、对–二甲苯)对虾夷扇贝的生殖毒性作用。在水温(16±0.5)℃、盐度30.0、p H 8.0条件下,用0.5、2.5、12.5 mg·L-1的苯、甲苯、乙基苯、邻–二甲苯、间–二甲苯、对–二甲苯处理虾夷扇贝的精子、胚胎和幼体,观察6种苯系物对虾夷扇贝的精子活力、卵子受精率、胚胎延滞率、胚胎畸形率、孵化率、幼体畸形率的影响。同时通过透射电镜观察6种苯系物(2.5 mg·L-1)对虾夷扇贝精子超微结构的损伤作用。结果发现:不同浓度苯系物处理组与对照组(0.0 mg·L-1)相比,虾夷扇贝精子的运动时间、卵子受精率及胚胎孵化率显著降低;胚胎发育延滞率、胚胎畸形率和幼体畸形率显著增加为并与处理浓度之间存在显著的剂量—效应关系。以上结果表明实验浓度下,6种苯系物对虾夷扇贝具有较强的胚胎毒性和生殖毒性作用。通过电镜切片发现,2.5 mg·L-1的苯、甲苯、乙基苯、邻–二甲苯、间–二甲苯、对–二甲苯导致虾夷扇贝精子超微结构损伤,表现为:精子质膜断裂、部分溶解,线粒体质膜和内嵴断裂、部分溶解。苯系物对虾夷扇贝精子超微结构的损伤可能是影响其精子活力和降低卵子受精率的主要原因之一。上述结果为苯系物对海洋贝类的生殖毒性评价提供基础数据。